In This Post: From one of the country’s top-rated ice cream shops to a stroll through Forsyth Park, here’s a short but sweet guide on things to do in Savannah, Georgia.
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Outfit Details: Camilyn Beth Dress [c/o] | Report Shoes
After wrapping up our time in Charleston with a surprise trip for my sister to the South Carolina Aquarium, our next road trip stop was Savannah, Georgia. Savannah wasn’t originally on my list of prospective cities to move to, but people kept telling me it was worth checking out because it’s basically the same as Charleston and has a lower cost of living.
Gems, don’t let anyone fool you. Savannah is not similar to Charleston. At all.
Gorgeous? Yes! Charming? Yes! Lots to do? Yes! Similar to Charleston? No.
Even though it’s near the coast, it’s more inward than Charleston and it sits on a river, not the ocean, so you really don’t have the same coastal influences as Charleston does. Elements of Charleston make you question if you’ve been whisked away to a Carribean island whereas Savannah has a more American feel to it. They are both lovely and they are both charming, but they are very, very different! I do love how both cities have sought a balance between preserving the past and letting in modernization.
It was a short two-hour drive, but it was not an easy hail as I made the mistake of not peeing beforehand and there is really nothing on the way, so if you’re day-tripping to Savannah from Charleston, use the bathroom before you get on the road and pack snacks! Thankfully, a sign for peach cider caught our eyes and we stopped at Carolina Cider Co for a bathroom break and a drink! The fresh cider was so delicious, and I was a bit bummed that the bottles I grabbed to take home didn’t taste quite as good.
Where to stay and things to do in Savannah, Georgia
Where to Stay in Savannah, Georgia
Getting back on the road, we kept heading to where we would be staying in Savannah, Presidents’ Quarters Inn. The first thing I need to say is how family-friendly this hotel is. There are hotels that say they are “family-friendly” and then there are hotels that truly embody that. My niece is such a good baby, but she was not in her best mood when we arrived. The staff was so considerate and welcoming even though we walked into the lobby with a screaming three-month-old.
If you’ve read any of my other travel posts, you know that I love to stay at places that reflect the culture and atmosphere of whatever city I’m visiting and Presidents’ Quarters Inn was exactly what I was hoping for in Savannah! We were wrapped up in unforgettable charm and American history for our two night’s stay in the George Washington Loft Suite. The suite would be especially ideal for even longer trips. When entering the room, you first walked into a living area and then there was a little hallway (with a half bathroom) that led to a flight of stairs with the bedroom at the top (and a full bathroom). It was so nice to spread our stuff out and to have extra space.
I have a full post on this place coming next because it deserves a more detailed review, but I just cannot say enough good things about the staff, the atmosphere, the property, and the breakfast!
Where to get Ice Cream in Savannah, Georgia
For weeks leading up to the trip, I had been asking for recommendations on Instagram for ice cream places in each of the cities we were stopping in because ice cream is my favorite thing in life. Leopold’s Ice Cream kept coming up over and over again. In fact, it’s continuously rated one of the top ice cream shops in the country! I also heard horror stories about how long the line is all the time. We happened to come across it when we were looking for a place to eat shortly after arriving in the city. Shocked that there was no line outside the door (it was around 5:45 pm on a Monday), we knew we were having ice cream for dinner that night (which I’m always okay with). I sacrificed my perfect red lipstick to indulge in a sandwich with chocolate chip cookies and caramel swirl ice cream – and I do not regret it one bit! Leopold’s Ice Cream truly is amazing and if you’re in Savannah, YOU HAVE TO GO!
Where to Take Instagram Pictures
I had been well warned about the heat and humidity in Savannah (even the most leisurely walk left me feeling sweatier than any hot yoga class I’ve ever taken). Knowing that golden hour was approaching and that I’d probably be a sweaty mess the following evening after a day of exploring, I convinced my sister to take a few photos for me in Oglethorpe Square, which was right outside of the inn. You’ll find squares of greenery all throughout the city and they are all beautiful. It’s the perfect way to break up all the buildings. We also walked down the nearby streets in awe of the historic architecture that takes you back in time. We stopped in front of a particularly beautiful home to take a few photos. After a moment, the owner came out and I was sure she was going to tell us to stop. To my surprise, she mentioned that she has a beautiful courtyard that we were welcome to use. As she welcomed us through her front door, I could not believe I was letting my sister and little niece enter a stranger’s house in a city I had never been to before. But, the woman was so sweet and my gut told me we were fine. It’s these gestures of Southern hospitality that make me even more excited to move South because people just don’t often show this kind of welcoming kindness up North!
In all honesty, you can’t walk a block in Savannah without coming across beautiful buildings that make for picturesque backgrounds. Instead of finding a yoga or barre class to go to, I opted to go for a run in the morning of our second day because I just wanted to see as much of its beauty as possible! Later in the day, we visited Forsyth Park. I had dreamt about how delightful it would be in person. It was beautiful and the Spanish Moss draped trees give the park a much more enchanted feeling than anything I’m used to in Pittsburgh, but being attacked by bugs and a fussy baby (I don’t think she liked Savannah much, lol) made the experience a little less magical. If you go here for pictures, please take a bath in bug spray beforehand!
Where to Eat in Savannah, Georgia
Our first night in Savannah, we opted for a very exciting Subway dinner after our main course of Leopold’s Ice Cream. I was actually very excited about Subway because, in Savannah, they have their honey oat bread – which they have disappointingly discontinued back home. One night #2, we were excited to explore the Savannah Riverfront district and ended up at Spanky’s Pizza Galley and Saloon because, per usual, we were looking for something local that was also quick and easy. It was actually really good! I had a delicious pizza. All of the shops and businesses along the riverfront looked so cute and unique. I wish we would have spent more time exploring, but after dinner we were just so tired that we ended up calling it a night.
Recommended by other Gems: Collins Quarter, The Olde Pink House, Gryphon
Where to get Coffee in Savannah, Georgia
With a long car ride ahead, I knew I wasn’t going to make it very long if I didn’t get caffeine in me. Being so close to Presidents’ Quarters Inn, we took a sweaty walk down Bull Street (recommended for its independent boutiques and small businesses) before leaving the city. The Gallery Espresso caught my eye and I got an iced coffee to take on the road that really hit the spot! The cafe had a lot of neat art on display and a cozy atmosphere that would have been a great place to sit down and work for a few hours had we not have been heading out!
Recommended by other Gems: The Paris Market
Be sure to catch up on the rest of June’s road trip adventures here and stay tuned for a post coming soon on our last stop, Virginia Beach!
